Coding with MedDRA MedDRA was developed under the auspices of the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH). The activities of the MedDRA Maintenance and Support Services Organization (MSSO) are overseen by an ICH MedDRA Management Committee, which is composed of the ICH parties, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of the UK, Health Canada, and the WHO (as Observer). 2 1
Disclaimer and Copyright Notice This presentation is protected by copyright and may, with the exception of the MedDRA and ICH logos, be used, reproduced, incorporated into other works, adapted, modified, translated or distributed under a public license provided that ICH's copyright in the presentation is acknowledged at all times. In case of any adaption, modification or translation of the presentation, reasonable steps must be taken to clearly label, demarcate or otherwise identify that changes were made to or based on the original presentation. Any impression that the adaption, modification or translation of the original presentation is endorsed or sponsored by the ICH must be avoided. The presentation is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. In no event shall the ICH or the authors of the original presentation be liable for any claim, damages or other liability arising from the use of the presentation. The above-mentioned permissions do not apply to content supplied by third parties. Therefore, for documents where the copyright vests in a third party, permission for reproduction must be obtained from this copyright holder. 3 Course Overview MedDRA background MedDRA s structure, scope, and characteristics MedDRA maintenance Coding conventions Synonym lists Quality assurance (QA) of coding MedDRA Term Selection: Points to Consider document Hands-on coding exercises 4 2
MedDRA Background What is MedDRA? Med = Medical D = Dictionary for R = Regulatory A = Activities 6 3
MedDRA Definition MedDRA is a clinically-validated international medical terminology used by regulatory authorities and the regulated biopharmaceutical industry. The terminology is used through the entire regulatory process, from pre-marketing to post-marketing, and for data entry, retrieval, evaluation, and presentation. 7 MedDRA s Purpose Facilitate the exchange of clinical information through standardization Important tool for product evaluation, monitoring, communication, electronic records exchange, and oversight Supports coding (data entry) and retrieval and analysis of clinical information about human medical products including pharmaceuticals, biologics, vaccines, and drug-device combination products 8 4
MedDRA and the MSSO International support and development of terminology Foster use of MedDRA through communications and educational offerings Custodians, not owners, of the terminology JMO (partner organization for Japanese-language MedDRA) Governed by a Management Committee (industry, regulators, multi-national, other interested parties) 9 Where MedDRA is Used Regulatory Authority and Industry Databases Individual Case Safety Reports and Safety Summaries Clinical Study Reports Investigators Brochures Core Company Safety Information Marketing Applications Publications Prescribing Information Advertising 10 5
MedDRA Users Profile As of January 2019 5,700 Subscribing organizations (MSSO+JMO) 122 Countries Graph shows types of subscribing organizations 11 MedDRA Users by Region 12 6
MedDRA Data Sharing Subscription grants access to MedDRA for one year Subscriber cannot grant any sublicense, publish or otherwise distribute MedDRA to a third party Data may be freely exchanged between current MedDRA subscribers Sponsor-sponsor, sponsor-cro, vendor-user, etc. Use Self-Service Application to check organization s subscription status Sharing MedDRA with a non-subscribing organization is a violation of the MedDRA license 13 MedDRA Data Sharing (cont) For details, see the Statement on MedDRA Data Sharing 14 7
MedDRA Overview Scope of MedDRA Not a drug dictionary Patient demographic terms Clinical trial study design terms OUT IN Medical conditions Indications Investigations (tests, results) Medical and surgical procedures Medical, social, family history Medication errors Product quality issues Device-related issues Product use issues Pharmacogenetic terms Toxicologic issues Standardized queries Frequency qualifiers Numerical values for results Severity descriptors Not an equipment, device, diagnostic product dictionary 16 8
MedDRA Structure System Organ Class (SOC) (27) High Level Group Term (HLGT) (337) High Level Term (HLT) (1,737) Preferred Term (PT) (23,708) Lowest Level Term (LLT) (80,262) MedDRA Version 22.0 17 System Organ Classes Blood and lymphatic system disorders Cardiac disorders Congenital, familial and genetic disorders Ear and labyrinth disorders Endocrine disorders Eye disorders Gastrointestinal disorders General disorders and administration site conditions Hepatobiliary disorders Immune system disorders Infections and infestations Injury, poisoning and procedural complications Investigations Metabolism and nutrition disorders Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) Nervous system disorders Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions Product issues Psychiatric disorders Renal and urinary disorders Reproductive system and breast disorders Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders Social circumstances Surgical and medical procedures Vascular disorders 18 9
High Level Group Terms Subordinate only to SOCs and superordinate grouping for one or more HLTs SOC Cardiac disorders HLGT Coronary artery disorders HLGT Cardiac arrhythmias HLGT Cardiac valve disorders 19 Not all HLGTs shown High Level Terms Subordinate to HLGTs and superordinate grouping for the PTs linked to it SOC Cardiac disorders HLGT Cardiac arrhythmias HLT Cardiac conduction disorders HLT Rate and rhythm disorders NEC HLT Supraventricular arrhythmias 20 Not all HLTs shown 10
Preferred Terms Represents a single medical concept SOC Cardiac disorders HLGT Cardiac arrhythmias HLT Rate and rhythm disorders NEC PT Arrhythmia PT Bradycardia PT Tachyarrhythmia Not all PTs shown 21 Lowest Level Term Synonyms, lexical variants, sub-elements SOC = Cardiac disorders HLGT = Cardiac arrhythmias HLT = Rate and rhythm disorders NEC PT = Arrhythmia LLT Arrhythmia NOS LLT Arrhythmia LLT Dysrhythmias LLT (Non-current) Other specified cardiac dysrhythmias Not all LLTs shown 22 11
Non-Current Terms Flagged at the LLT level in MedDRA Not recommended for continued use Retained to preserve historical data for retrieval and analysis Terms that are vague, ambiguous, outdated, truncated, or misspelled Terms derived from other terminologies that do not fit MedDRA rules 23 MedDRA Codes Each MedDRA term assigned an 8-digit numeric code starting with 1 The code is non-expressive Codes can fulfill a data field in various electronic submission types (e.g., E2B) New terms are assigned sequentially 24 12
Codes and Languages 25 A Multi-Axial Terminology Multi-axial = the representation of a medical concept in multiple SOCs Allows grouping by different classifications Allows retrieval and presentation via different data sets All PTs assigned a primary SOC Determines which SOC will represent a PT during cumulative data outputs Prevents double counting Supports standardized data presentation Pre-defined allocations should not be changed by users 26 13
A Multi-Axial Terminology (cont) SOC = Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders (Secondary SOC) SOC = Infections and infestations (Primary SOC) HLGT = Respiratory tract infections HLGT = Viral infectious disorders HLT = Viral upper respiratory tract infections HLT = Influenza viral infections PT = Influenza 27 Rules for Primary SOC Allocation PTs represented in only one SOC are automatically assigned that SOC as primary PTs for diseases, signs and symptoms are assigned to prime manifestation site SOC Congenital and hereditary anomalies terms have SOC Congenital, familial and genetic disorders as Primary SOC Neoplasms terms have SOC Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) as Primary SOC Exception: Cysts and polyps have prime manifestation site SOC as Primary SOC Infections and infestations terms have SOC Infections and infestations as Primary SOC 28 14
Primary SOC Priority If a PT links to more than one of the exceptions, the following priority will be used to determine primary SOC: 1 st : Congenital, familial and genetic disorders 2 nd : Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (incl cysts and polyps) 3 rd : Infections and infestations 29 A Multi-Axial Terminology (cont) PTs in the following SOCs only appear in that particular SOC and not in others, i.e., they are not multi-axial Investigations Surgical and medical procedures Social circumstances 30 15
Can You Select the Primary SOC for This PT? PT HLT HLGT SOC Congenital HIV infection Viral infections congenital Congenital neonatal infections Infections and infestations congenital Neonatal and perinatal conditions Retroviral Viral infectious infections disorders Acquired Immunodeficiency immunodeficiency syndromes syndromes Congenital, familial and genetic disorders Pregnancy, puerperium and perinatal conditions Infections and infestations Immune system disorders 31 MedDRA Maintenance 16
MedDRA Maintenance Users can send change requests (CRs) to MSSO for consideration Organizations allowed 100 CRs/month For simple changes (PT and LLT levels), response within 7-10 working days Complex changes (above PT level) posted for comments mid-year Two MedDRA updates/year 1 March X.0 (Complex release) 1 September X.1 (Simple release) 33 WebCR Web-based tool for Change Requests (CR) URL: https://mssotools.com/webcr/ Via the Change Request Information page Ability to submit CRs online Requests must be in English Immediate confirmation Review unsubmitted CRs online Ability to query CR history back to v5.1 34 17
Submitting Changes Online change request submission tool Guides the user to enter all needed information 35 Submitting Changes (cont) Sample entry for a new PT in WebCR Justification and supporting documentation is important to help MSSO understand the need 36 18
Proactive MedDRA Maintenance What is the proactive approach? Corrections/improvements made internally by the MSSO General changes suggested by users Submitting ideas Send to MSSO Help Desk. Justification is helpful. Example: Review placement of bruise and contusion terms to facilitate coding and analysis Evaluation of proposals Final disposition is not time limited; MSSO may take time to review Proactive approach does not replace usual CR process 37 MedDRA Version Analysis Tool (MVAT) Web-based (https://tools.meddra.org/mvat) Free to all users Features Version Report Generator (produces exportable report comparing any two versions) Data Impact Report (identifies changes to a specific set of MedDRA terms or codes uploaded to MVAT) Search Term Change (identifies changes to a single MedDRA term or code) User interface and report output available in all MedDRA languages 38 19
MSSO s MedDRA Browsers MedDRA Desktop Browser (MDB) Download MDB and release files from MedDRA website MedDRA Web-Based Browser (WBB) https://tools.meddra.org/wbb/ Features Both require MedDRA ID and password View/search MedDRA and SMQs Support for all MedDRA languages Language specific interface Ability to export search results and Research Bin to local file system 39 MedDRA Desktop Browser (MDB) and Web-Based Browser (WBB) Update New functionality for users Preview upcoming (supplemental) changes in next release* View primary and secondary link information Upload terms to run against SMQs Advanced search options (e.g., NOT, OR) *Supplemental view not available on MDB 40 20
WBB Supplemental View Where will Change Requests I submitted appear in next release of MedDRA? What are the changes in an area of MedDRA in the next release? Change View to Supplementals 41 WBB Supplemental View (cont) Display changes color to pink Supplemental terms highlighted by broken green line Changes for the next release are displayed immediately after they are approved by the MSSO 42 21
MedDRA Browser Demonstration and Instruction Coding Exercises 22
Assessing the Reported Information Consider what is being reported. Is it a: Clinical condition - Diagnosis, sign or symptom? Indication? Test result? Injury? Procedure? Medication error? Product use issue? Product quality issue? Social circumstance? Device issue? Procedural complication? Is it a combination of these? The type of report will influence the way you search for a suitable LLT. It may indicate in which SOC you expect to find the closest match. 45 MedDRA Browsing Tips First, try using actual words from reporter Use top-down and bottom-up approaches Look at the neighbors and check the hierarchy Consider synonyms, e.g., Liver and Hepatic Use word stems, e.g., Pancrea 46 23
MedDRA Browsing Tips (cont) Use available resources for difficult verbatim terms (web search, medical dictionaries, colleagues) Use advanced Boolean search terms features (i.e., begins with, exact match, ends with, not contains, and, or ) when needed Become familiar with MedDRA Concept Descriptions 47 Concept Descriptions Descriptions of how a concept is interpreted, used, and classified in MedDRA Not a definition Intended to aid accurate and consistent use of MedDRA in coding and retrieval Overcome differences in medical practice worldwide Descriptions aim to be broadly consistent with definitions across different regulatory regions See Appendix B of MedDRA Introductory Guide Accessible in MSSO s Browsers 48 24
Concept Descriptions (cont) 49 Exercise 1 The patient states she has been experiencing headaches, dizziness and vertigo. LLT PT LLT PT LLT PT 50 25
Exercise 2 Lab results indicate an increase in erythrocytes. LLT PT 51 Exercise 3 Drug was contaminated with Staphylococcus. LLT PT 52 26
Exercise 4 A six year old boy was admitted for toxicity after accidentally ingesting the remaining antihypertensive tablets in the bottle. LLT PT LLT PT 53 Exercise 5 The patient s urinary catheter was blocked. LLT PT 54 27
Coding with MedDRA 55 What are Coding Conventions? Written guidelines for coding with MedDRA in your organization Support accuracy and consistency Common topics Misspellings, abbreviations and acronyms Combination terms and due to concepts Always query terms, e.g., Chest pain Should be consistent with the MedDRA Term Selection: Points to Consider document 56 28
Why Do We Need Coding Conventions? Differences in medical aptitude of coders Consistency concerns (many more choices to manually code terms in MedDRA compared to older terminologies) Even with an autoencoder, may still need manual coding 57 Can I Make Coding Conventions Specific to My Company/Product? MedDRA may reduce the need to do this because: Increased size/granularity results in more accurate representation of data Secondary SOC allocations allow for different views of the data This type of approach should be done cautiously 58 29
Synonym Lists Recurring verbatims one-time assignment to an LLT Promotes consistency Increases likelihood of autoencoding hit Maintenance required Verbatim LLT Comment Throbbing above temple Aching all over head Headache Pulsing pain in head Muscular pain in legs Myalgia of lower extremities LLT Myalgia of lower extremities is a better choice than LLT Muscular pain since it captures both the event and body site 59 Quality Assurance (QA) Reports Allows reviewers to check for consistency (both auto-encoded and human-coded terms) Check for adherence to/deviation from coding conventions Check for emerging drifts/biases Multiple data views (verbatims to coded terms; coded term to verbatims; by SOC, etc.) 60 30
61 Unqualified Test Name Term List MSSO developed and maintains list of unqualified test name terms These terms (e.g., PT Blood glucose) should never be reported as AEs Intended for use in E2B test name field only List can be used to check data quality Identifies inappropriate terms in data fields other than test name data element Intended as recommendation only 62 31
Unqualified Test Name Term List (cont) Link on Support Documentation page on MedDRA website Spreadsheet of LLT/PT names and codes from SOC Investigations >3,800 terms in v22.0 Explanatory document Purpose, uses, development of list Also available in Japanese on JMO website 63 ICH M1 Points to Consider Working Group (PtC WG) Regulators and industry from EU, US, and Japan Health Canada, Canada MFDS, Republic of Korea ANVISA, Brazil NMPA, China MSSO JMO WHO (Observer) November 2017, Geneva, Switzerland 64 32
PtC Documents PtC Category PtC Document Purpose Languages Release Cycle Term Selection MedDRA Term Selection: Points to Consider Promote accurate and consistent coding with MedDRA English and Japanese Updated with each MedDRA release Data Retrieval and Presentation General MedDRA Term Selection: Points to Consider Condensed Version MedDRA Data Retrieval and Presentation: Points to Consider MedDRA Data Retrieval and Presentation: Points to Consider Condensed Version MedDRA Points to Consider Companion Document Shorter version focusing on general coding principles to promote accurate and consistent use of MedDRA worldwide Demonstrate how data retrieval options impact the accuracy and consistency of data output Shorter version focusing on general retrieval and analysis principles to promote accurate and consistent use of MedDRA worldwide More detailed information, examples, and guidance on specific topics of regulatory importance. Intended as a living document with frequent updates based on users needs. First edition covers data quality and medication errors. All MedDRA languages (except English and Japanese) English and Japanese All MedDRA languages (except English and Japanese) English and Japanese Update as needed Updated with each MedDRA release Update as needed Updated as needed 65 MedDRA Term Selection: Points to Consider (MTS:PTC) Provides term selection advice for industry and regulatory purposes Objective is to promote accurate and consistent term selection to facilitate a common understanding of shared data Recommended to be used as basis for individual organization s own coding conventions 66 33
MedDRA Term Selection: PTC (cont) Developed by a working group of the ICH Management Committee Updated twice yearly with each MedDRA release Available on MedDRA and JMO websites English and Japanese Word ( clean and redlined ), PDF, HTML formats Redlined document identifies changes made from previous to current release of document 67 MTS:PTC Points of Note In some cases with more than one option for selecting terms, a preferred option is identified but this does not limit MedDRA users to applying that option. Organizations should be consistent in their choice of option. Section 4.1 Versioning (Appendix) 4.1.1 Versioning methodologies 4.1.2 Timing of version implementation 68 34
General Term Selection Principles Quality of Source Data Quality Assurance Do Not Alter MedDRA Always Select a Lowest Level Term Select Only Current Lowest Level Terms When to Request a Term Use of Medical Judgment in Term Selection Selecting More than One Term Check the Hierarchy Select Terms for All Reported Information, Do Not Add Information 69 Quality of Source Data Quality Assurance Quality of original information impacts quality of output Obtain clarification of data Can be optimized by careful design of data collection forms and proper training of staff Organizations coding guidelines should be consistent with MTS:PTC Review of term selection by qualified individuals Human oversight of automated coding results 70 35
Do Not Alter MedDRA MedDRA is a standardized terminology with a pre-defined term hierarchy Users must not make ad hoc structural alterations, including changing the primary SOC allocation If terms are incorrectly placed, submit a change request to the MSSO 71 Always Select a Lowest Level Term Select Only Current LLTs Lowest Level Term that most accurately reflects the reported verbatim information should be selected Degree of specificity may be challenging Example: Abscess on face select Facial abscess, not simply Abscess Select current LLTs only Non-current terms for legacy conversion/historical purposes 72 36
When to Request a Term Use of Medical Judgment Avoid company-specific work-arounds for MedDRA deficiencies. If concept not adequately represented in MedDRA, submit Change Request to MSSO. If no exact match in MedDRA, use medical judgment to match to an existing term that adequately represents the concept 73 Selecting More than One Term Check the Hierarchy Can select more than one LLT to represent reported information. Document procedures. Selecting one term may lead to loss of specificity Selecting more than one term may lead to redundant counts Check the hierarchy above a selected LLT (PT, HLT, HLGT, SOC) to ensure placement accurately reflects meaning of reported term 74 37
Select Terms for All Reported Information Select terms for every AR/AE reported, regardless of causal association Select terms for device-related events, product quality issues, medication errors, medical and social history, investigations and indications as appropriate 75 Do Not Add Information Do not make diagnosis if only signs/symptoms reported Reported LLT Selected Comment Abdominal pain Abdominal pain, increased serum amylase, and increased serum lipase Serum amylase increased Lipase increased It is inappropriate to assign an LLT for diagnosis of pancreatitis 76 38
Autoencoder Pitfalls Inappropriate terms may be selected by autoencoder Review all autoencoding carefully Allergic to CAT scan autoencoded as: LLT Allergic to cats Myocardial infarction in the fall of 2000 autoencoded as: LLT Myocardial infarction LLT Fall 77 Important Coding Errors Missed Concepts All medical concepts described after the product is taken should be coded Example: The patient took drug X and developed alopecia, increased LFTs and pancreatitis. Manufacturer only codes alopecia and increased LFTs (missed concept of pancreatitis) Example: The patient took drug X and developed interstitial nephritis which later deteriorated into renal failure. Manufacturer only codes interstitial nephritis (missed renal failure concept) 78 39
Important Coding Errors (cont) Soft Coding Selecting a term which is both less specific and less severe than another MedDRA term is soft coding Example: Liver failure coded as hepatotoxicity or increased LFTs Example: Aplastic anemia coded as unspecified anemia Example: Rash subsequently diagnosed as Stevens Johnson syndrome coded as rash 79 Term Selection Points Diagnoses and Provisional Diagnoses with or without Signs and Symptoms Death and Other Patient Outcomes Suicide and Self-Harm Conflicting/Ambiguous/Vague Information Combination Terms Age vs. Event Specificity Body Site vs. Event Specificity Location-Specific vs. Microorganism-Specific Information Modification of Pre-existing Conditions Exposures During Pregnancy and Breast Feeding Congenital Terms Neoplasms Medical and Surgical Procedures Investigations 80 40
Term Selection Points (cont) Medication Errors, Accidental Exposures and Occupational Exposures Misuse, Abuse and Addiction Transmission of Infectious Agent via Product Overdose, Toxicity and Poisoning Device-related Terms Drug Interactions No Adverse Effect and Normal Terms Unexpected Therapeutic Effect Modification of Effect Social Circumstances Medical and Social History Indication for Product Use Off Label Use Product Quality Issues 81 Diagnoses and Provisional Diagnoses SINGLE DIAGNOSIS DEFINITIVE DIAGNOSIS Single diagnosis without signs and symptoms PROVISIONAL DIAGNOSIS Single provisional diagnosis without signs and symptoms Diagnosis (only possible option) Provisional diagnosis (only possible option) Example: Myocardial infarction select Myocardial infarction Example: Possible myocardial infarction select Myocardial infarction (select term as if definitive diagnosis) Similar principles apply for multiple diagnoses 82 41
Diagnoses and Provisional Diagnoses (cont) SINGLE DIAGNOSIS DEFINITIVE DIAGNOSIS Single diagnosis with signs/ symptoms Preferred: Diagnosis only PROVISIONAL DIAGNOSIS Single provisional diagnosis with signs/symptoms Preferred: Provisional diagnosis and signs/symptoms Example: Anaphylactic reaction with rash, dyspnoea, hypotension, and laryngospasm select Anaphylactic reaction Example: Possible myocardial infarction with chest pain, dyspnoea, diaphoresis select Myocardial infarction Chest pain, Dyspnoea, and Diaphoresis Similar principles apply for multiple diagnoses 83 Diagnoses and Provisional Diagnoses (cont) SINGLE DIAGNOSIS DEFINITIVE DIAGNOSIS Single diagnosis with signs/ symptoms PROVISIONAL DIAGNOSIS Single provisional diagnosis with signs/symptoms Alternate: Diagnosis and signs/symptoms Alternate: Signs/symptoms only (as provisional diagnosis may change Example: Anaphylactic reaction Example: Possible myocardial with rash, dyspnoea, hypotension, infarction with chest pain, and laryngospasm select dyspnoea, diaphoresis select Anaphylactic reaction, Rash, Chest pain, Dyspnoea, and Dyspnoea, Hypotension, and Diaphoresis Laryngospasm Similar principles apply for multiple diagnoses 84 42
Diagnoses and Provisional Diagnoses (cont) Always include signs/symptoms not associated with diagnosis Reported LLT Selected Myocardial infarction, chest pain, dyspnoea, diaphoresis, ECG changes and jaundice Myocardial infarction Jaundice (note that jaundice is not typically associated with myocardial infarction) 85 What Terms to Select? Sepsis leading to shock from possible spontaneous bacterial peritonitis or bowel perforation Sepsis Shock Septic shock Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis Bowel perforation 86 43
Conflicting/Ambiguous Information First, try to obtain more specific information Reported LLT Selected Comment Hyperkalaemia with a serum potassium of 1.6 meq/l GU pain Serum potassium abnormal Pain LLT Serum potassium abnormal covers both of the reported concepts (note: serum potassium of 1.6 meq/l is a low result, not high) GU could be either genito-urinary or gastric ulcer. If additional information is not available, then select a term to reflect the information that is known, i.e., LLT Pain 87 Vague Information First, try to obtain more specific information Reported LLT Selected Comment Turned green Patient had a medical problem of unclear type Unevaluable event Ill-defined disorder Turned green reported alone is vague; this could refer to a patient condition or even to a product (e.g., pills) Since it is known that there is some form of a medical disorder, LLT Illdefined disorder can be selected 88 44
What Terms to Select? Clinical complication of IUD IUD complication (PT Complication associated with device) Intra-uterine death (PT Foetal death) Unevaluable event Hypoglycemia (blood glucose = 200 mg/dl) Blood glucose abnormal Blood glucose increased Hypoglycemia 89 Combination Terms One condition is more specific than the other Reported LLT Selected Arrhythmia due to atrial fibrillation Atrial fibrillation Hepatic function disorder (acute hepatitis) Hepatitis acute A MedDRA combination term is available Reported Retinopathy due to diabetes Rash with itching LLT Selected Diabetic retinopathy Itchy rash 90 45
Combination Terms (cont) If splitting provides more clinical information, select more than one term In all cases of combination terms, apply medical judgment Reported Diarrhoea and vomiting Wrist fracture due to fall LLT Selected Diarrhoea Vomiting Wrist fracture Fall 91 What Terms to Select? Retinal disease from HIV with near total blindness (R and L) Retinal damage Retinal disorder HIV disease Blindness HIV retinopathy Blindness, both eyes 92 46
Investigations Medical condition vs. investigation result Reported LLT Selected Comment Hypoglycaemia Hypoglycaemia LLT Hypoglycaemia links to SOC Metabolism and nutrition disorders Decreased glucose Glucose decreased LLT Glucose decreased links to SOC Investigations 93 Investigations (cont) Unambiguous investigation result Reported LLT Selected Comment Glucose 40 mg/dl Glucose low Ambiguous investigation result Glucose is clearly below the reference range Reported LLT Selected Comment His glucose was 40 Glucose abnormal No units have been reported. Select LLT Glucose abnormal if clarification cannot be obtained. 94 47
Investigations (cont) Investigation results consistent with diagnosis Reported LLT Selected Comment Elevated potassium, K 7.0 mmol/l, and hyperkalaemia Grouped investigation result terms Reported LLT Selected Comment Increased alkaline phosphatase, increased SGPT, increased SGOT and elevated LDH Hyperkalaemia Alkaline phosphatase increased SGPT increased SGOT increased LDH increased It is not necessary to select LLT Potassium increased Select four individual terms. A single term such as LLT Liver function tests abnormal should not be selected. 95 What Terms to Select? Testing showed increased serum creatinine and BUN, with increased BUN/creatinine ratio Increased serum creatinine BUN increased Blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio increased Renal function tests NOS abnormal Patient had features of aldosterone excess Aldosterone increased Aldosteronism Blood aldosterone abnormal 96 48
Medication Errors See Appendix B of MedDRA Introductory Guide or MedDRA Browser (both WBB and MDB) for Concept Descriptions See Section 3 of MedDRA Points to Consider Companion Document for detailed examples, guidance and Questions and Answers Top-down navigation in HLGT Medication errors and other product use errors and issues is best approach for term selection 97 Medication Errors (cont) Medication error with clinical consequences Reported LLT Selected Comment Patient was administered wrong drug and experienced hypotension Insulin was given using the wrong syringe resulting in the administration of an overdose. The patient developed hypoglycaemia. Wrong drug administered Hypotension Drug administered in wrong device Accidental overdose Hypoglycaemia If an overdose is reported in the context of a medication error, the more specific term LLT Accidental overdose can be selected 98 49
Medication Errors (cont) Medication error without clinical consequences Reported LLT Selected Preferred Option Intramuscular formulation administered by other route Medication was given intravenously instead of intramuscularly without any adverse effect Intramuscular formulation administered by other route No adverse effect 99 Medication Errors (cont) Important to record potential occurrence of medication error Unlikely to be reported as an adverse event but may need to be recorded in periodic safety reports Reported LLT Selected Comment Pharmacist notices that the names of two drugs are similar and is concerned that this may result in a medication error Drug name confusion Circumstance or information capable of leading to medication error Note: this example is a potential medication error and LLT Drug name confusion provides additional information about the nature of the potential medication error 100 50
Overdose, Toxicity and Poisoning If overdose, poisoning or toxicity is explicitly reported, select the appropriate term Overdose with clinical consequences Overdose without clinical consequences Reported Stomach upset from study drug overdose LLT Selected Stomach upset Overdose Reported LLT Selected Preferred Option Patient received an overdose of medicine without any adverse consequences Overdose Overdose No adverse effect 101 What Term to Select? The patient s renal function was measured every six months instead of on the monthly schedule recommended in the label for the drug Medication monitoring error Renal function test abnormal Drug monitoring procedure incorrectly performed Unintentionally took more than maximum recommended dose due to dispensing error Accidental overdose Incorrect dose administered Drug dispensing error 102 51
Misuse, Abuse and Addiction * Definitions of misuse may not always include the concept of therapeutic use; misuse may be similar to the concept of abuse in some regions. 103 Coding Exercises Narratives and short verbatims Assess the reported terms Identify what concepts are reported (diagnosis, death, investigations, etc.) Refer to the appropriate sections of the MTS:PTC for guidance on term selection For example, Section 3.2 for death terms Use MTS:PTC preferred options (forget your organization s conventions) Use browser to search for and select LLTs (also record PT and primary SOC) 104 52
Specific Tips for Narrative Exercises Overall, coding principles are the same as for short verbatim exercises Code all of the following: Events (including procedures and investigations as needed) Indications Medical history Social history 105 Sample Narrative A 75-year-old male receiving Drug X for rheumatoid arthritis developed an area of darkened skin on his chest. The patient s medical history is significant for peripheral vascular disease and cigarette smoking. The skin lesion was excised; it was revealed to be a seborrhoeic wart. 106 53
Course Summary In this course, we covered: A review of MedDRA s scope and structure, including primary SOC allocation rules Coding conventions, synonym lists, and coding QA Introduction to the MedDRA Term Selection: Points to Consider document Coding exercises 107 MSSO Contacts Website www.meddra.org Email mssohelp@meddra.org Frequently Asked Questions www.meddra.org/faq 108 54